Forum:
Older Than 60 Years Old With Breast Cancer —

I am an "older" woman with breast cancer (I was diagnosed at 65 and am now 66). I notice that most of the posts seem to be from people younger than I am (often by quite a bit...). I'd love to "talk" with others my age, exchange info about their diagnoses, effects on their lives, etc. I see that there is a forum for young women.

Someone suggested that maybe it's that older people aren't so computer-savvy or aren't used to being in online discussion groups. However, for those who are, it would be great.

So, day when the pathology report from lumpectomy came back. 1.9cm, stage 1, grade 2, Er+, Pr+,HER2-.All still the same from biopsy,except for one item which has me crazy “Lymph.Vascular invasion. Suspicious.” What do I do about suspicious? See MO for first time Thursday. Afraid and think he will say radiation, but at 85 in a few weeks, do not want to do that. Hoping for just the horrible, but good, Arimidex..Thought age was a benefit here with lumpectomy,no rad, no chemo,just arimidex for 5 years, but don’t know now.Am old, but in very good condition otherwise.And afraid of radiation

Nanette - I had a bilateral based on recommendation from 2 breast surgeons. For me, it was the correct decision as my prophy left side came back pre-cancerous. Lumpectomy was never an option for BC right side. As much as I miss my old saggy middle age boobs, the bilat was the best decision as I wouldn't have wanted to go down the BC Tx road twice. Once was hard enough. BS and PS did the mastectomy and insert expanders (mine had saline and I had fills every 3 weeks - 3 total). PS surgeon did the exchange a year later and I have silicone implants. Medical oncologist for chemo (and he still follows me closely 13 years later) and radiation oncologist for radiation who followed me for 6 weeks post radiation and now medical oncologist sends her updates after every visit.

Scared - sounds normal to me - crying is great too. Wishing you and easy surgery and recovery on April 2.

keywestfan Thanks for the update. I'm glad you're through that surgery, and sorry you have more worries. Your MO will contextualize risk and explain everything on the path. report and the importance of whatever "suspicious" means in the big picture. Keep us posted.

My story in a nutshell....I have prepared for this BMX, it wasn't an easy decision. When my journey started out I had 1 IDC lump and a lumpectomy was planned...but 3 weeks later it 1 became 4 more, only 1 of those was benign and they were all in different areas in my breast. My breast had just recovered from 1st biopsy and then I had more biopsies for the new tumors. This time things didn't go do easily. I suddenly became allergic to the glue on the steri-strips. My MO didn't know what was wrong with my breast as it was red and angry so he sent me immediately over to see my BS. As soon as she saw it she said "you've got blisters here" as the strips were off. I've had small areas on and off in the past but not blisters. She asked of I was allergic to tape and I told her not that I was aware of...well I am now. While I was there we all talked about surgery.. a lumpectomy was no longer possible and would leave me horribly disfigured so a Uni was tossed into the mix. OMG!! Over the next few weeks pre-chemo she & I & my MO had many talks. I told them that my left has been through so much..the 2nd set of biopsies were so much more painful in recovery than the 1st single one. I wasn't sure I could do that again.... I have a LOT of scar tissue in there now and horrible scars from my tape blisters....so the option to have a BMX came up..not just for that reason but many reasons. I couldn't decide then so they gave me the option of starting chemo and taking my time. So over the course of those 12 weekly taxol & Herceptin treatments I did think and prayed. I was on the fence about a BMX and meeting my PS helped out a lot. He talked to me about my options and then explained even with all the advances he would never be able to match up healthy breast with a reconstructed breast due to aging. But he didn't make me decide then... he sent me home to think and pray. Saw BS again and she told me how she could help get rid of the major scars in the surgery and we talked about meeting with the PS. She listened and never gave her opinion and then she too sent me home to think and pray. Well I did just that and within the week I called the PS office and told them to get ahold of BS and set up the BMX. My family agrees with my reasons why I'm doing this and I have peace about it. Yes I'm scared and worried but I think it's normal to be so. I have confidence in my team and they are the best in my area and very experienced. I was offered rads when it was once a simple lumpectomy but I guess God had other plans or maybe He was sparing me from it...

Learning to roll with the punches is about all anyone can do. Sometimes I just use my old stand-by --- it is amazing what you can do when you have no choice. All of us here were not given a choice about getting cancer. But, with patience and help from our medical teams and knowledge we can do what we have to do. It is all anyone can do.

Then hopefully you are on the way to living a long healthy time.

Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality and likes that turned into love. ~~~Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross
Dx
9/27/2007, IDC, 5cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-

nanette7fl What a journey you've been on! Thanks for sharing that difficult bunch of issues and decisions you've been facing. I'm glad that you've had good guidance from the docs, and glad that you had time to process everything and make the decisions. You have a good treatment plan, and you'll get through it all, one thing and one day at a time. I send you warm wishes for comfort and good healing going forward.

My skin is VERY reactive to all surgical tapes, and I have to have an application of "skin-prep protective barrier wipe" ointment before any tape. My husband is an RN, and he put himself in charge of all my surgery wound-recovery care, and this magic potion was very helpful.

Puffin, I hope you won't be affected by flooding. I've always dreaded flooding the most of disasters. I grew up in tornado alley and at least they're quick and your house is either gone or it isn't. Now that I live in earthquake country, I have to worry about those. I remember standing in my living room and watching the wall go up and down like a ship. It's weird to think something can't happen while watching it happen.

Lumpectomy and re-excision followed by mastectomy of right breast. Five years of anastrasole completed.

Keywestfan, what "suspicious for lymphovascular invasion" means is that there are signs that the tumor may (emphasis on "may") have developed its own blood & lymph vessels. But the whole thing's out now, so it's likely moot. If you are recommended to get radiation, the stage, grade, hisological type (Luminal A) of the tumor and your age qualify you for accelerated (16 stronger zaps rather than 33 regular) partial-breast radiation targeted to just the "tumor bed." ("3DCRT APBRI"). Side effects are less likely and if you nonetheless get them, milder. My RO at Kellogg/Evanston was Dr. Shah, who is compassionate, gentle and one of the docs who participated in the clinical trial of that protocol for women >65. (I was almost 65 at the time, so he said I qualified). For women who qualify, overall survival is exactly the same as full-length whole-breast radiation.

ChiSandy, you are my role model, teacher for how to go through this. Thank you again. Have heard Dr. DM adheres to no rad for women over 70, so we will see tomorrow, but the LVI if there might be decisive. A friend,MO at Beth Israel Boston and prof at Harvard, says radiation and 3mm margins if not radiation. Mine were clean, but closer. So either radiation or rexcision, If Dr. DM disagrees, I’ll have to do as he says. You’ve educated me about radiation and, Dr. Shah. I must admit radiation terrifies me and all the decisions and unknowns. I look like a very calm person, but tremble mightily on the inside. You are leaving again soon, right?

McBaker... Mary I wasn't upset with you.... I admire you for all you've been through.

Keywest so glad things look good. How are you doing/feeling?? Other than nervous...

Puffin OMG that is a lot of snow. When people ask me why I moved to Florida 24 years ago that snow bank was in my driveway during the 96-97 blizzards in Poughkeepsie NY I grew up there went back there after my divorce (with my kids) but somehow being snowed in the house for 10 days was definitely enough!! The kids and I decided we were done with snow!!

So I'm a 60 year old newbie with triple negative stage 0 DCIS. So far, anyway. I've done the MRI yesterday, and am awaiting DNA results to see where we go from here. Next Dr apt is 3 weeks out, awaiting DNA. I'm adopted, so we need to see if I have the gene. Sounded to me like the Dr will push for lumpectomy, if I'm gene negative and the MRI shows nothing more. That's fine with me if it's the case. Just wanting to touch base, as with the triple neg results, I am terrified of both radiation and chemo. I also have type II diabetes - under control with diet, metformin, and glimeripride - (generic of Amaryl). It sure is scary!!

My screen name is Stitch, because I love to sew both clothing and small quilt projects - and machine embroidery as well. I'm hoping to be able to sew a few things the next few weekends before I'm too tired to think of it. But my favorite with sewing is sewing tops. I hope I don't have to give that up. Does anyone here have similar interests?

DCIS and non-invasive and Stage 0 means you can stay calm and form a plan without feeling rushed. Sounds as though your doctors are carefully covering all bases.

I have a friend who had DCIS and had just a lumpectomy as her treatment, and another friend who had radiation after a lumpectomy with DCIS. The various treatment protocols probably depend on path. report details and other risk factors.

This forum is full of support and hope, with many people who've gone through what you're facing, and can give you context and help you through the scare of it all. When I had the genetic testing done last year, I was told that only 10% of all breast cancers do have a (known) genetic connection. Keep us posted as you learn more.

Hi Stitch and welcome. It sounds like you're in good hands and they're being careful. I used to sew a lot but my neck doesn't let me do much any more. I need a new wonder wallet and i keep putting it off. The following thread is for sewers, and there's also a thread for artists which has some quilt photos. Sorry I was unable to make the post live.

BC is highly unlikely to interfere with a person's ability to sew. I sewed eight headcovers for myself, and knitted four. I also made three triangular scarves that I can use whenever. I am putting the binding on a quilt for the club I belong to, and am in the process of piecing another quilt-top.

I need to use some more of the material I bought for headcovers to make some more for the cancer center. I am using McCall's 4116, it is discontinued, but you might be able to find it other places.

BC, like most everything else, generates plenty of opportunities for sewing.

You probably don't have to worry about it, but the best way of overcoming neuropathy is by physical activity-- like sewing and typing.

Welcome stitch and glad you found us. So far you seem to have good control. I think everyone normally has some up and down times with this diagnosis. Still, if fortunate it can go fairly well and so far you sound as if things were caught early, so here's to great reports for you. Hope you will come often.

Each day I am thankful for nights that turned into mornings, friends that turned into family, dreams that turned into reality and likes that turned into love. ~~~Elizabeth Kuebler-Ross
Dx
9/27/2007, IDC, 5cm, Stage II, Grade 3, 0/3 nodes, ER+/PR-, HER2-

HikingLady, ChiSandy,Nanette7fl,Jo6359 my postop Lumpectomy was one week ago. All was fine and PA Jada explained all in path report, although all I was puzzled about was importance of L VI-Suspicious. She said BS and MO would talk its significance over in case conference on Monday.. Then met with MO for first time. Really liked him. He, to my surprise(and delight) saiid no radiation at my age, would not increase overall survival, why do it.He's very into statistics. Did say when he and BS and other oncologists, including ROs discuss this on Monday a reexcision may be recommended because of close, but clean, margins.. This would be because of LVI. Just hope they don't change his mind about radiation, though I admit, I probably would feel safer with it, but he thinks I'm safe enough with Arimidex which he said I could start every other day for a month. Talked about SE's, switching pills if necessary and the inescapable thinning of hair. Will see him in June again..Feel relief, much less anxious, hope he's right about radiation and doesn't change mind on Monday

Wren thanks for the link. (I saved it) There is so much in this forum board I would never have found it lol

Mcbaker....Mary where did you find that pattern?? I have a huge supply of fabric..thanks to a neighbor unexpectedlyly dying a few years ago. That pattern is exactly what I've been looking for. I recieved several pre-tied hats from friends but the tails are too short to do anything but a bow tie in the back over that covered elastic 8( I was trying to find a pattern where I could make long tails and 'fake' a scarf on really busy days!

I got a text from a very old friend. Apparently she'll be down my way in May and wants to take me out to celebrate (surgery). I had to laugh...even though she and I are only a few yrs apart..she's the elder...she really is clueless about having a mastectomy let alone a BMX. I texted back and told her we might want to put off the celebrating off until at least mid-summer that way I have a chance to heal up some and feel better. "Why?" was her reply...omg the real world just has no clue do they sigh

keywestfan Thanks so much for sharing this update. We're all on your team, and it's good to hear that your MO is a good communicator, and that you're getting so much good information. For me, knowing all the facts helps me settle down a bit!

The worst I can say about the AI for me is some additional joint stiffness. It made me sleepy for one week and then that went away. No hair thinning.

nanette7fl So true. People who haven't had a BMX + TE cannot possibly know how huge it is. I was able to go out and do things and socialize by 4 weeks after surgery. First 2-3 weeks, no. At 4 weeks or so, I was comfortable and had energy and could do something like go out for a meal if I planned my exertion for the day. Could plan an outing each day by then, just not a huge day full of activity yet. Still had to rest a bit and didn't have back-to-normal energy until 6-8 weeks. I did walk every day, even starting Day 2 when I got home, just very short distances, and then I worked up to a bit more each day as I gained strength. By week 3 I was walking 2-3 miles. Slowly. Rested a lot the first 3-4 weeks, for sure. Naps for the first week or two.